<p><a href="/programs/welding/welding-guide">Welding can be an awesome career</a>.</p><p>A welder&rsquo;s responsibilities can include shaping strong metals as well as creating building structures, machine parts and much more. Some even <w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_0" id="-1668008212">use their skills&nbsp;</w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_1" id="1579252388"></w:sdt>to create sculptures<w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_2" id="1050339852"></w:sdt>!</p><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4" id="-1536892614"><p>What does it take to prepare for this trade?<w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt showingplchdr="t" sdttag="goog_rdk_3" id="1302579885">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </w:sdt></p></w:sdt> <p><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_9" id="-252814610">We have plenty of advice for those interested in pursuing a welding career, including information on how Universal Technical Institute's <a href="/programs/welding">Welding Technology program</a> can help graduates prepare for a professional journey.<sup>1</sup><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_7" id="-974372149"><sup></sup></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_8" id="-1214804440"></w:sdt></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_12" id="-705017538"><w:sdt showingplchdr="t" sdttag="goog_rdk_13" id="-1049769458">&nbsp;A</w:sdt></w:sdt>t UTI, students can learn four major welding processes and get the hands-on training needed to become a welding technician.</p><p>Continue reading to learn more! Below, we&rsquo;ll recommend a game plan on how to become a welder in California.</p><h2>Get a High School Diploma or GED</h2><p>Becoming a welder in California doesn&rsquo;t have an exact timeline, especially since welders in California are not required to have a high school diploma to work. However, most welding training programs and apprenticeships require high school diplomas or GEDs. This is&nbsp;<w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_15" id="-1980603063">also</w:sdt> the case for Universal Technical Institute&rsquo;s <a href="/programs/welding">36-week welding training program</a>.</p><p>Technicians without diplomas may have a hard time qualifying for many trade programs or job openings in the state. Without a high school diploma or GED, people with <a href="/programs/welding/traits">great welding potential</a> may have difficulty finding opportunities to get hands-on experience.</p><p>That&rsquo;s because these documents show employers that the candidate has enough critical thinking, reasoning and discipline for an organized curriculum. So, if you don&rsquo;t have either, get one right away to start your journey!</p><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/welding-career-training-benefits" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read more</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/welding-career-training-benefits" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: You Can Go Places With a Career in Welding</a></p><h2>Enroll in a Welding Program</h2><p>Welding programs teach students the fundamentals of welding and provide them with the resources and lab time needed to practice these skills. Doing so can help&nbsp;<w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_16" id="200686219"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_17" id="1002014744"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_18" id="1637301598"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_19" id="-2044739429"></w:sdt>them get used to the types of tasks found in entry-level welding jobs after graduation.</p><p><img src="/images/default-source/blog/how-to-become-a-welder-in-california/bodyweldingblog.webp" alt="" sf-size="2806918" /></p><p><a href="/programs/welding">The Welding Technology program</a> at UTI is designed to take 36 weeks to complete &ndash; that&rsquo;s approximately nine months! <w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_20" id="2045251494"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_21" id="-1564251631"></w:sdt>Graduates of our California welding programs earn diplomas and learn <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.uti.edu/programs/welding/types-welding&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1674072534544754&amp;usg=AOvVaw1M6K1x3KahWXHxgWj6K8fQ" data-sf-ec-immutable="">four types of welding</a>:</p><ul data-list="0" data-level="1"><li>Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)</li><li>Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)</li><li>Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)</li><li>Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/certified-welding-inspector" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read more</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/certified-welding-inspector" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Become a Certified Welding Inspector</a></p><h2>Pursue Employment</h2><p>Students at UTI complete <a href="/programs/welding/welding-courses">welding courses</a> that were developed with the help of Lincoln Electric. This ensures that they receive industry-specific training, which can help them prepare for post-graduate welding jobs.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">A welding diploma can also help our graduates pursue welding in California since trade school credentials indicate that you are likely capable of handling the job's mandated responsibilities.</span></p><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_25" id="1706132117"><p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_22" id="-1362884174"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23" id="744144637"></w:sdt>UTI students can also potentially get part-time work while enrolled in welding classes through our <a href="/support-services/employment-assistance/early-employment">Early Employment Program</a>.<sup>36&nbsp;</sup>It's important to note that eligibility requirements <span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">are established by participating employers and are between the employer and the student.</span><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_32" id="1660502619" style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;"></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_30" id="42258078" style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_31" id="-643730982"></w:sdt></w:sdt><span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;"></span></p></w:sdt><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_28" id="-275412116"></w:sdt><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/resume-tips-examples" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read more</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/resume-tips-examples" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Create Your Welding Resume: Examples and Tips</a></p><h2>Study Up and Learn How to Become a Welder in California!</h2><p>Technical training can be valuable for anyone wanting to learn how to become a welder in California! If you&rsquo;re set on pursuing a welding career in this state, come back here for a refresher on the process.</p><p>Universal Technical Institute&rsquo;s 36-week Welding Technology program teaches students the fundamentals of the trade and can help them prepare for a welding career in California. UTI also has relationships with a number of manufacturers! These relationships mean students have access to equipment that mirrors the industry, which can help them prepare for exciting career opportunities after graduation.</p><p>Excited to start learning at one of our <a href="/locations/california">Universal Technical Institute California campuses</a>? Once you find a location near you, <a href="/programs/welding">apply to our welding school</a>!</p><h2>UTI Campuses That Offer Welding Training</h2><p>Interested in attending welding school elsewhere? UTI offers welding training at campuses nationwide. Find one near you. &nbsp;</p><ul><li><a href="/locations/california/long-beach" target="_blank">Long Beach, California</a></li><li><a href="/locations/california/rancho-cucamonga" target="_blank">Rancho Cucamonga, California</a></li><li><a href="/locations/california/sacramento" target="_blank">Sacramento, California</a>&nbsp;<em>(coming to UTI Sacramento)</em></li><li><a href="/locations/arizona/avondale" target="_blank">Avondale, Arizona</a></li><li><a href="/locations/texas/austin" target="_blank">Austin, Texas</a></li><li><a href="/locations/texas/dallas-fort-worth" target="_blank">Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/locations/texas/houston" target="_blank">Houston, Texas</a></li><li><a href="/locations/illinois/lisle" target="_blank">Lisle, Illinois</a></li><li><a href="/locations/florida/miramar" target="_blank">Miramar, Florida</a></li><li><a href="/locations/north-carolina/mooresville" target="_blank">Mooresville, North Carolina</a></li><li><a href="/locations/pennsylvania/exton" target="_blank">Exton, Pennsylvania</a></li><li><a href="/locations/new-jersey/bloomfield" target="_blank">Bloomfield, New Jersey</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>